Families demand to see documents from Trumbull cemetery’s perpetual care fund
TRUMBULL — Families whose loved ones are buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery are calling for the Diocese of Bridgeport to release its financial records to see how their funds are being used.
Gate of Heaven is one of nine Catholic cemeteries under the Diocese of Bridgeport, and it has been receiving backlash from some families for its removal of flowers and adornments from some areas.
“Part of the reason they no longer permit anyone to put anything on the graves is because of the cost involved with having employees spend time being careful,” retired Superior Court Judge Carmen Lopez said. “We have a right to ask the probate court for a hearing and for the judge to order an accounting.”
Lopez said she had been corresponding with the diocese for a few months before filing a petition to view the documents.
During a recent hearing
in front of Probate Judge T.R. Rowe, Anne McCrory, the chief legal and real estate officer for the diocese said she had not yet seen the petition. After having the petition forwarded to her, she said she and her team would review it.
“We are currently reviewing the petition to assess the legal basis for the request and what it is that the Diocese may provide
based on the petition,” she said. “The Diocese of Bridgeport has every intention of working cooperatively with the Probate Court to address the issues brought forward.”
McCrory said the cemetery enforces rules limiting the adornments, flowers and other items left on the graves for the sake of maintenance and upkeep.
“Our cemeteries are an extremely important part of our ministry to the people of our Catholic community here in Fairfield County,” she said. “We also take deep pride in making sure that our cemeteries both serve the families of our loved ones pastorally and present to the community grounds that are well-kept, groomed and neat for all those who spend time
there in prayer and reflection.”
Lopez initially contacted the diocese’s chief financial officer Michael Hanlon on Oct. 23, 2023 inquiring about the trust for perpetual funds. She cited Connecticut General Statute 19a-301, which covers tracking and reporting perpetual funds and states that “any interested party may petition the probate court having jurisdiction under this section to require an accounting by the treasurer.”
Hanlon replied on Dec. 6, 2023 addressing her concerns and saying that a religious organization is exempt from the statute.
“Regarding your comments on the oversight of the Perpetual Care Fund under Connecticut Law, be assured that we manage these funds as required,” he said. “However, as a religious organization maintaining our diocesan and parish cemeteries in furtherance of the mission of the church, the statute you cite does not apply to us, and as such, we are not required to file annual reports with the probate court.”
According to the statute, the treasurer of the cemetery must make an annual report detailing
the income received, who it was paid to, the amount of the fund and how it is invested and file a copy to the probate court for the district which owns the cemetery.
Kenn Devane, consultant to the Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Bridgeport explained the cemetery’s process with removing adornments on the graves.
“Our job is to ensure it’s in the best condition for all families here. We’ll leave it for a couple of days and then we’ll have to throw it out,” he said. “We’re trying to be fair and respectful of the little things that are so important to them, but when it gets to be somewhat dangerous for somebody, then we have to do something about it.”
Amelia Giacobbe, a Bridgeport resident, said her son is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Trumbull. She used to bring flowers to his grave before she had to stop.
“We should be allowed to bring fresh flowers,” she said. “It makes me feel good because I still care for my son and I want to bring him something. I know he doesn’t see it, but it makes me feel better to bring him fresh flowers.”
The hearing is scheduled to resume Feb. 22.